Gujarat's coastline is quickly destroyed compared to other parts of the country

Ahmedabad, December 24 (IANS). Gujarat is one of the longest coastal letters in the country, which was initially considered 1,600 km. Now this figure has been modified because of new data. According to the National Coastal Research Center (NCCR), the coastline of Gujarat is 1,945,60 km long. But the 537.5 km long coastline of the state is subject to erosion due to rising sea level and climate change. This erosion rate is the highest in the country. In a study conducted by NCCR on the 6.632 km coastline from 1990 to 2018 by NCCR, it was found that 33.6 percent of the coastline is sensitive to erosion. The coasts of Gujarat are eroded at a dangerous rate of 27.6 percent. From 2018, from the coast of 1,945,60 km in Gujarat, 1,030.9 km is stable, while 377.2 km has increased. The broad coastline of Gujarat, which was once a symbol of pride, has now become a symbol of distant effects of vulnerability and climate change. Data and observation show the urgency of prevention of coastal erosion and the implementation of measures to protect poor communities and ecosystems. A 2016 report indicates that the state coastline was destroyed to 512.3 km, which increased by more than 25 km in just two years. The famous Gujarat beaches are also at the point of disappearance. Despite the recognition of the Blue Flag Beach, the Shivrajpur beach stands with 32,692.74 square meters erosion, and experienced an increase of 110,895.32 square meters on Surat’s Umbrat beach. The situation in South Gujarat is serious, where the Tithal beach faces an erosion of 69.910.56 square meters and the Suwali beach witness of 688.783.17 square meters coastal erosion. There was also sufficient coastal erosion in Dabhari and Dandi. In Valsad, Nani contributes to the illegal sand mining in the Ambika River, which reduces the flow of sediment on the shore north of the town of Danti, it increases the erosion of the coast. Human activities have exacerbated the delicate coastal route in Navsari and Falsead. The erosion of the Gujarat coastline, especially in Navsari and Valsad, has serious consequences for the locals. About 60.81 square km of land was eroded in 35 years. This erosion affects the existence of the coastal communities that depend on tourism, agriculture and fishing. Navsari and Falsead are important fishing districts that offer work to people. But erosion disrupts the traditional means of their existence. In addition, the tourism activities, especially on the Tithal beach of Falsead, have increased the coastal tension. Climate change has created significant challenges for coastal states such as Gujarat, which require active strategies to reduce its effects and ensure that people live in the front row of environmental change. The issue of climate change presents a global challenge. In response, Gujarat created a dedicated Department of Climate Change. Gujarat with a special climate change department is the fourth state or province in the world. Founded in February 2009, this department was established under the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who got the task of managing issues related to climate change. -Ians CBT